What is a childminder?
A Childminder cares for a small group of children of mixed ages in the childminder’s own home. Children are welcomed as individuals, they are offered affection and respect and their developmental and recreational needs are met. Childminders offer a flexible service, tailored to each child, thereby helping parents and guardians to balance their work and family commitments. A Childminder negotiates and agrees her/his terms with parents. The child’s welfare must be the prime consideration of the Childminder. Childminders have sole responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of each child entrusted to their care.
Are you thinking of becoming a childminder? If so please see resources below
A Guide to becoming a Childminder
Information for Childminders on the National Action Plan for Childminding
Guidelines on Planning a Childminding Business in your own home
Childminding Sample Policies and Procedures
Childminding Sample Record Keeping Forms
Information for Parents on the National Childminding Action Plan
Guidance for Childminders: https://www.laoischildcare.ie/2022/02/16/guidance-for-childminders-understanding-childrens-behaviour/
Pre-Registration Training
For an expression of interest form please contact Joanne on 057 86 61029 or email j.fenlon@laoischildcare.ie
CALLING ALL CHILDMINDERS
Are you a childminder or interested in becoming a childminder in Co. Laois
Networking Coming Soon
Would you like to get involved in a local Childminding Network that will provide a forum for peer support, sharing experiences and knowledge and access to relevant information on the National Childminding Action Plan (2021-2028) and much more…
To register your interest in our Childminding Network and information on all upcoming events please contact Joanne on j.fenlon@laoischildcare.ie or 057 8661029/8681970
Training for Childminders
Please find links below to contacts and resources for training.
- Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme: https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-quality-and-regulatory-framework/quality-and-regulatory-framework-elearning-programme/
- Children First Training: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/
- Training Courses from Childminding Ireland https://www.childminding.ie/cmi-training-courses/
- Child in Mind Training Programme https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/child-mind-training-programme-now-live/
Download the Childminder Newsletter here: NAPC Spring Newsletter 2024 Final
Grants and funding available
Are you already childminding or interested in minding children in your own home?
Are you a parent interested in choosing a childminder?
Come along and find out more about childminding and the National Action Plan for Childminding.
Laois County Childcare will be visiting libraries in towns throughout Laois over the coming weeks.
See below visits
| Mountrath Library | Wednesday 24th July | 11.00 am – 1.00 pm |
| Portlaoise Library | Wednesday 24th July | 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm |
| Abbeyleix Library | Wednesday 31st July | 10.30 am – 12.30 pm |
| Durrow Library | Wednesday 7th Aug | 10.30 am – 12.30 pm |
| Mountmellick Library | Tuesday 30th July | 10.30 am – 12.30 pm |
Childminder Development Grant (CMDG) – 2024
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has announced the opening of the 2024 Childminding Development Grant.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
The Grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths), as well as IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes later in the year.
The grants are open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business in 2024. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
For further information about the Childminder Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding, visit http://www.gov.ie/childminding
Laois County Childcare – Free Resource Pack for Childminders
Laois County Childcare Committee have a limited number of Free Resource Packs for Childminders in County Laois to promote positive play-based early learning.
In order to avail of this FREE resource pack, Childminders must meet the criteria stated below:
- Be currently providing a childminding service in Laois
- Have valid (in date) childminding insurance
- Have completed the Tusla Children First Training: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/
- Have completed some CPD from First Five https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/continuing-professional-development ORComplete the Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme: https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-quality-and-regulatory-framework/quality-and-regulatory-framework-elearning-programme/
Public consultation on the draft childminding regulations
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021 – 2028 sets out a phased approach to the regulation and registration of childminders. Central to work under the National Action Plan has been the development of new regulations that are specific to childminders and that are appropriate and proportionate for a home-based setting. The draft regulations set out proposed minimum standards for anyone who provides a childminding service.
Regulations are an official recognition from the State that demonstrates that childminders are a valued part of early learning and childcare in Ireland. Regulations set out safe-guarding measures for children. These regulations will enable all childminders to register with Tusla and offer the access to the childcare funding schemes for the families that use their services.
Laois County Childcare Committee will host a Focus Group for Childminders on Monday 8th April in the Portlaoise Parish Centre. To book a place please phone 057 86 61029 or email info@laoischildcare.ie
Latest news, information and upcoming events for Childminders
National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., launched the National Action Plan for Childminding on 15th April 2021. The National Action Plan aims to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding, and sets out a phased approach to bringing childminders within the scope of State-funded supports and regulation over the period 2021-2028.
The National Action Plan for Childminding is a pathway to be developed over the next 8 years that sets out steps towards regulation, support and subsidies, for all paid, non-relative childminders. The Action Plan will involve change and significant benefits for childminders, children and the families using their services.
The aim of the Action Plan is to provide greater recognition for childminding and to support childminders in their work of providing high quality early learning and care and school age childcare, thus supporting child development and learning outcomes and helping families.
To download a copy of the Action plan please click here: National Action Plan for Childminding
View the Pathway for the Action plan here: Pathway of the Action Plan
For More information on the National Action Plan for Childminding please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/df207-national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/
